Green, Ulrich Wie das Gold den Tod brachte oder Ich zôch mir einen valken...

Ein mittelalterlicher Kriminalroman

A gold coin found around 1350 in Doringen, Thuringia, on a dying beggar in the county of Schwarzburg causes great excitement and leads to several deaths when it is violently seized. Berengar von Ernstein, whose father, Albert of Ernstein Castle, represents the power of Heinrich XII of Schwarzburg-Blankenburg as his ministerial, has many tasks to solve at the risk of his life. Above all, he tries to refute the claim that his foster sister Selda, whose mother was his wet nurse, as Reglindis, Albert's wife, died during his birth, had acquired the gold coin by evil means. The young count, son of Heinrich, a monster, repulsive and of low character, was also trying to get hold of the gold, suspecting that he was on the trail of a greater treasure. He took Selda into his power, also with the intention of assaulting her with the help of his men. Berengar and Selda are connected by a budding love, without clearly showing it. Albert von Ernstein receives the news that his son Berengar has been killed. He must defend himself in a terrible duel against Henry XII, with whom he actually has a personal connection, as far as this is possible between ministerials and lords: Henry, who is much younger, was his squire and was prepared by him for the Schwerleite, the initiation into knighthood. The duel arises from Henry's assumption that Albert wants to judge his son, the young Henry, because he considers him to be Berengar's murderer. The monk Brother Severin plays a very important role as the great teacher of the very attentive Berengar, whom he introduces to the knowledge, customs and traditions of the time with his extensive knowledge and experience. Later, another life of the monk becomes known. Finally, Henry XII sentences Selda to death by drowning in a proper trial, as she had taken possession of the gold, which was actually fool's gold (pyrite), by force. Berengar, with the help of Konrad, a promising, relatively unknown boy, escapes from captivity and thus also from the presumption of his death, and must prove Selda's innocence: Listen to me, everyone! Brother Severin raised his voice again, The girl is innocent! Berengar will prove it. Your Grace, grant a reprieve, I beg you! Henry considers, then says, I will show mercy. We will wait until the red edge of the sun has disappeared behind the Reins Mountains. Then the girl will be drowned.